Our authorsThe Top HR and Government experts

Chris Ponder II is a human resources professional who has harnessed his human resources knowledge and experience across the casino, retail, and service industries, where he has challenged people to think outside of the traditional “thought box” and strive for something unique by pushing thoughts and actions to a different scale – the extreme. Stifled by just limiting this extreme thinking and passion to the four corners of the office, Chris created XtremeHR. However, he quickly began to discover the opportunity of a group of people sharing their passion was even better, which lead to the creation of Performance I Create. Knowing the value social media can bring, he continues to be an advocate for trench HR professionals to take a leap with social media and utilize its capabilities to grow both professionally and personally.

Chris Shaffner is the senior vice president of the Water and Community Facilities division at CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America by providing loans, leases, export financing, and other financial services in all 50 states. Chris oversees the strategic growth and management of CoBank’s water infrastructure lending, rural healthcare investments, and rural equity funds. Before joining CoBank, Chris held various leadership positions in both public and private organizations, including heading Manhattan borough operations for the New York City Housing Authority.

Christine is a full time blogger and content creator, who covers topics on health, wellness and fitness. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she's been focused on finding ways to make health and wellness a priority from home, and hopes her words can encourage others to do the same.

I am a curious business developer and technical sales manager for agile teams. I leverage my experience in higher education with a natural born gift to create meaningful relationships in the workplace, while helping companies solve their biggest tech challenges.

Corey Mohn is passionate about helping people make connections that allow them to live their dreams. Corey learned many lessons first-hand about the power of connectivity when he co-founded Planning Initiatives, LLC – a city planning consulting firm – at the age of 24. Since selling his share of the business, Corey has dedicated his professional life to public service, primarily through providing funding and technical support to the small business community. Corey is the Executive Director of the Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), a program that empowers high school students to fast-forward into their future through hands-on work, real-world business projects, and the development of professional skills. Prior to CAPS, Corey served as the Director of Statewide Programs for the Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship (DBA NetWork Kansas). Corey holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and economics from Washington University in St. Louis and a Masters in Business Administration from Baker University. Corey Mohn is the Executive Director of Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) and can be reached at cmohn@bluevalleyk12.org and also follow @BVCAPS

Daisy is a long-time member of the Custom-Writing staff. While completing her degree in Linguistics, Daisy was looking for a part-time job as a writer, but, upon graduating from college, she decided to work full-time. Combining her knowledge of Linguistics with her distinctive writing style, Daisy is an incredibly productive and diligent writer. A big admirer of National Geographic, Daisy is always on the road getting inspiration for her creative writing.

Daniela McVicker is a career coach and freelance writer. She’s also a business communication coach, helping future job applicants to write business emails to help them achieve success on their career paths.

Mr. Unmacht is the director of Springsted’s Organizational Management/Human Resources group. He is an experienced local government professional who brings a passion and commitment to excellence in his service and relationships. He works closely with local governments of all sizes in many different disciplines most notably in four core areas: 1) strategic planning and goal setting; 2) executive recruitment; 3) organizational development; and 4) organizational reviews and assessments. Mr. Unmacht has over 30 years of local government experience having served both cities and counties and now in private practice. Before joining Springsted, Mr. Unmacht served for 11 years as County Administrator for Scott County, Minnesota. Prior to that, he was Deputy County Administrator in Dakota County, City Manager in Prior Lake and City Administrator in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. His tenure as a local government manager is highlighted by managing growth and development, leading organizational change, developing labor-management relations, building organizational cultures, and encouraging collaboration and system redesign. Mr. Unmacht is a frequent writer, speaker and panelist for conferences and seminars. Mr. Unmacht was the recipient of the Minnesota Association of County Administrators (MACA) Joe Ries Excellence in County Management Award in 2000 and the Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA) Award for Management Excellence in 2006. Mr. Unmacht is also a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and a community faculty member with Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

David Allison is a U.S. Army Veteran and retired Captain from the Roseville, California Police Department. David served for 30 years in law enforcement in a variety of assignments, including: Operations, Services and Administration, Investigations, Traffic, Community Services, K-9, Special Weapons and Tactics, Narcotics, and Vice. In November 2000 David was awarded the Bronze Medal of Honor for Conspicuous Bravery. David has a Master of Science degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and is a graduate of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College. In addition, David is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. After retiring from law enforcement in 2011 David joined with his partner and brother in business as a Private Investigator. He is currently the co-owner and Chief Financial Officer of ARI Investigations, Inc. During David’s 30 years of law enforcement he experienced and knew officers who suffered from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress. In 2015 David was introduced to the Mighty Oaks Warrior Program where combat veterans were finding healing for the Post-Traumatic Stress they were experiencing. After attending the program himself he decided to get involved and is now helping and participating in the “No Man Rides Alone” fundraising and awareness campaign.

Mr. David L. Stevens currently serves as the Chief Information Officer for Maricopa County, AZ – the fourth largest County in the Nation by population and over 9,200 square miles in size; it is larger than 23 States by population. Mr. Stevens is passionate about relational capital, earning trust, building excellent teams and delivering technology that impacts the business. He has presented at national conferences and is published in a variety of magazines, as well as serving on a number of advisory boards and committees. Most recently, he was appointed to the National Association of Counties (NACo) Information Technology Standing Committee and subcommittees on Cyber Security and Geospatial Information Services. Additionally, Mr. Stevens was appointed by Janice K. Brewer, Governor of the State of Arizona, to the Commission on Judicial Conduct in December of 2013 and Confirmed by the full Senate in April of 2014 – the Commission is based on Article 6.1 of the Arizona Constitution and acts on complaints alleging one or more judges have engaged in judicial misconduct in a particular case or circumstance. He was also appointed by Governor Brewer to the Information Technology Authorization Committee (ITAC) in December of 2013. This assemblage brings together a statewide view of IT that can help policymakers and the public understand the challenges and opportunities facing IT professionals in public service. ITAC’s fundamental goal is to maximize the benefits derived from the public investment in computer systems, software and applications, and to minimize the risk of failure in applications development and implementation. Lastly, Mr. Stevens is serving a two year term as chairman of the Technology Advisory Group of the Maricopa County Association of Governments (MAG), which includes 27 cities. The Technology Advisory Group is made up of City CIOs across Maricopa County. Mr. Stevens has had the honor and privilege to receive various professional awards and recognition for his leadership and innovations across business and information technology initiatives – he credits this to the amazing people he has had the honor to work with past and present.

An internationally recognized flexible workplace strategy consultant, speaker and author, Cali Williams Yost has pioneered new ways to manage work, life and business in the modern economy for nearly two decades. As CEO and founder of Flex Strategy Group/Work Life Fit— and one of Mashable’s Top 14 Career Experts on Twitter— she’s shown hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals how to partner for award-winning flexible work success. Clients have ranged from Ernst & Young, BDO USA, J.P. Morgan Chase, Novo Nordisk, to the U.S. Navy and the United Nations.

David Nielson, CEO of DNA Worldwide, brings over three decades of global, corporate, Fortune 500, and private consulting experience in organizational change management, leadership development, and training. David has helped guide large-scale change initiatives and business strategy driven by ERP, mergers, restructuring, and the need for cultural change. He has been a featured and frequent speaker at PMI, Project World, Chief Executive Network, Management Resources Association, TEC, IABC, Training Director’s Forum, and the Alliance of Organizational Systems Designers. His book 9 Dimensions of Conscious Success is available now on Amazon.